John Jinapor: We must get to the bottom of the 1,300 missing containers
These containers, which contained cables and other critical equipment, were reported missing from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), raising concerns over potential financial and operational losses in the power sector
The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has called for a swift and thorough investigation into the disappearance of over 1,300 containers meant for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
These containers, which contained cables and other critical equipment, were reported missing from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), raising concerns over potential financial and operational losses in the power sector.
An investigative committee, chaired by Professor Innocent Senyo Acquah, was tasked with reconciling ECG’s claim of 2,491 uncleared containers at the Tema Port.
However, an independent audit revealed that only 1,134 containers were accounted for, leaving 1,347 unaccounted for. Minister Jinapor confirmed that this report had been submitted to him, emphasising the urgent need for further investigation.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Thursday (27 March), Jinapor said, “Today, I’m going to be talking about the 2,500 containers that were at the port when we took over. Indeed, 1,300 of them had been moved away even before we assumed office. So, that is the state of affairs, and we want to investigate and get to the bottom of the whereabouts of those 1,300 containers,” he stated.
Law enforcement agencies to intervene
The minister has formally requested the involvement of law enforcement agencies, particularly the National Investigative Bureau (NIB) and National Security, to track the missing containers.
“The next step is simple. Let the law enforcement agencies, especially the National Investigative Bureau, get into this matter quickly. I have already written asking National Security to get involved. Like you said, in terms of serial numbers, we have tracking numbers. You cannot just lift a container out of the harbour,” Jinapor emphasized.
He also outlined several possible explanations for the disappearance, including fraudulent clearing, mismanagement at ECG, or documentation errors.
“Is it the case that somebody legitimately lifted them out of the harbour but did not bring it to ECG? Or is it that ECG received them and they went missing within ECG? Or is it that there are some documentation challenges?” he queried.
Financial implications and systemic issues at ECG
Jinapor expressed concern over ECG’s financial and operational mismanagement, particularly the accumulation of over GHS 1.5 billion in demurrage charges.
“All along, I had believed that between 2,500 and 3,000 containers were stuck at the ports, based on the information they gave me. My primary focus as minister was that we couldn’t continue to incur such demurrage. Only to be told that, contrary to the information that was given to me when we were assuming office, those containers were indeed not there.”
The minister also criticised ECG’s procurement practices, pointing out that contracts were awarded for new cable supplies while existing stock remained uncleared at the port.
“ECG is unable to clear those containers, and yet they proceed to award new contracts for the supply of the same cables. Pay for them, the containers get to the ports, and they are unable to clear them as well. And it continues to incur demurrage. This is unacceptable, and somebody must be held liable.”
The Impact on Ghana’s power supply
Jinapor linked the disappearance of these essential materials to the ongoing challenges in Ghana’s power sector.
“If you have over 2,500 containers stuck and not utilised, it means that you are not improving the grid. You are not improving the distribution lines. And the current system is obsolete. The demand keeps increasing, and so it has a direct correlation with the delivery of power.”
He assured Ghanaians that necessary steps were being taken to recover the missing items and address the inefficiencies within ECG.
Next steps and call for accountability
The minister reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that those responsible for the missing containers are held accountable. He warned against politicising the issue and insisted that individuals found culpable would face legal consequences.
“I just hope, and let me make this clear, that when people begin to be dragged before the law enforcement agencies, when people begin to face the law courts, nobody will complain that we are witch-hunting.”
The investigative report is expected to be made public soon, with additional findings set to determine whether the missing containers were stolen, misplaced due to poor record-keeping, or fraudulently diverted. Jinapor emphasised that transparency and accountability would be at the forefront of the government’s actions moving forward.
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